Carrying Case

ABSTRACT

A carrying case is provided for insertion of a caddy in each of a plurality of recesses formed into a compressible lining in a base of the case. The recesses are formed in a shape complimentary to the exterior of an inserted caddy and may be formed slightly smaller than the exterior of the caddy to provide a compressed engagement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carrying cases. More particularly, it relates to a portable carrier having a formed internal housing adapted to engage one or a plurality of different carrying cases within the housing in a protected positioning.

2. Prior Art

Individuals traveling, and even when not, frequently have a dilemma when storing personal items, especially those employed for aiding in a sight or hearing disability as well as other personal items. Individual carrying cases exist for eyeglasses to aid eyesight, and for hearing aids as well as for other personal and health related components. However, most such cases are manufacturer-supplied and specific to the individual device and are intended for storage at home, and for positioning in a suitcase or toiletry kit, or other carrier when traveling.

For individuals requiring health aids such as hearing aids and eyeglasses, as well as cleaning components which accompany such, maintaining all the individual items with their specific and individual covers and cases, in a collection for travel and business and even at home, is a constant problem. Some individuals attempt to maintain all the separate items in their respective cases in a group by employing rubber bands to hold them together or by positioning the different components in plastic bags. Even individuals carrying purses and briefcases struggle to maintain easy access to such personal devices since they tend to become lost in the clutter when mixed with the other contents of such carrying devices.

The conventional manufacture-provided cases for personal aids such as hearing aids and eyeglasses are made small to allow carrying of the contained item in a pant pocket or purse pocket. However, the size of the carried item offers little or no storage space for cleaning and repair tools and spare batteries and the like which are frequently required to maintain such hearing and eyesight related aids. Further, frequently users lose the provided storage case and then must employ cases or carriers mismatched to the contents they hold. When carrying their personal devices such as hearing aids, corrective eyewear, and other disability aids, they are thus left with no good choice to carry such items in an organized, secure, discreet manner in a cohesive group.

As such there exists an unmet need for an organized storage and transport case for personal and health items for users of such devices such as corrective eyewear, hearing aids, and other personal aids which abound in the modern world. Such a device should provide for secure storage of user-chosen personal or health related items in a grouping chosen by the user. Such a carrying device should be easily customizable by the user to carry their chosen products and aids. Such a device should provide for reconfiguration by users to carry differing items from a plurality of user items in an easily reconfigured manner. Such a device and system should also provide users with a visual and illumination enhanced area for employment during servicing and repair of such medical and health aids to maintain them in top working order. Finally, such a device should be equipped with enhancements allowing a user to locate one of the items being carried if misplaced once taken from the carrying device.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith, and the noted need for a relief in the shortcomings of that art, are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the system and invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art which might be addressed by the device and system herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device and method herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in prior art through the provision of a device and system which features a customizable carrying case configured for engagement with individual sub-containers or caddies. The caddies are dimensioned to engage with any of a plurality of formed openings or recesses in protective padding within the two halves of the carrying case.

The device may be equipped with a magnification lens which is employable without the user holding it to allow use of both hands to work on a magnified task. The magnified area may be illuminated using light emitters such as LED's which are operatively engaged with an onboard power source. Also included with the device can be an inductive charging component as well as an alarm system to alert the user should a caddy be dismounted when the case is closed for transport.

A plurality of individual closeable caddies may be provided each of which has an exterior dimensioned to operatively engage with a recess within the case. The caddies themselves may be configured with an interior recess adapted to engage around a personal item or its cover or case.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other carrying structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.

It is an object of the invention to provide a transport system for the carrying of personal items and personal health aids of users in an organized and protected fashion.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a carrying system which is easily reconfigured by the user through the provision of multiple engageable caddies configured for operative engagement within a main housing.

It is another object of the invention to provide not only an organized containerized system for transport and storage of personal aids and items, but to also provide visual and illumination aids for servicing and repair of the transported items and optionally recharging and proximity location of components housed in the caddies.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the personal item storage and carrying system invention herein will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of the carrying case herein configured with individual sub-containers or caddies adapted to engage formed openings within a wall of protective padding.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of a mode of the device of FIG. 1, wherein a plurality of individual closed caddies are engaged within the formed openings within the protective padding surrounded by the carrying case.

FIG. 3 is a view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 showing the illuminated and magnification components removed and showing a formed opening adapted to engage a smartphone or the like opposite empty recesses. One of which includes an inductive charging pad.

FIGS. 4-6 depict individual closeable caddies shown in respective open positions, each of which has recesses formed within protective padding surrounded by the hard shell caddy which is configured to engage with individual personal aids and items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-6, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, a perspective view of one mode of the device 10 depicting the case 12 having a base 26 in a pivoting engagement with a cover 24. A cavity 13 formed within the surrounding sidewalls of the base 26, is adapted in internal configuration to securely position each caddy 14, within a respective complimentary shaped recess 16 formed within a protective lining 18 positioned within the cavity 13 within the base 26 of the case 12.

As shown, the recess 16 can have a first portion sized to engage the exterior of a caddy 14 therein, and a second or upper portion defined by a larger perimeter. A first portion of an inserted caddy 14 will engage the first portion of the recess 16, and will be surrounded by an air gap defined the width of a ledge 15 which extends between the first portion of the recess 16 and the wall forming the perimeter of a second, larger portion of the recess 16. This partial engagement of the caddy 14 and a surrounding air gap defined by the ledge 15, has been found to provide excellent resistance to bumping and jarring. If such is the configuration, the bulges 40 discussed below are especially preferred such that they will contact the entire vertical surface of the corners of an inserted caddy 14 such as in the view of FIG. 2, showing the ledge 15 defining an air gap around the perimeter of the caddy 14, and the bulges 40 in compressed contact with the corners of the caddy 14.

The lining 18 is best made from shock absorbing material such as open or closed cell foam and can be either pre configured with the appropriately dimensioned perimeters to each recess 16, or the lining 18 material can be provided as user-configurable such as cubed-foam, which in experimentation has been found especially easy for the user to form the recesses 16 for their own caddy 14. The recesses 16 are best formed in a shape which is complimentary to that of the caddy 14 to be inserted. However, the size of the perimeter of the recesses 16 should be equal to or slightly smaller than the circumference of the caddy 14 to be inserted.

Particularly preferred also are ramped recesses formed in the lining 18 which allow the user easy access for removing individual caddies 16. The ramped recesses or divots 20 formed into the lining 18 being at a position even with the upper surface of the lining 18, and have a surface defining the divots 20 which angles downward such that a lower edge of the ramped surface forming the divot 20, is exposes a side surface of the caddy 14. By providing this ramped recess or divot 20, the user can contact the side surface of a closed caddy 14 inserted into the recess 16 with a finger for grabbing it more easily.

The recess 16 sized for insertion of a caddy 14, if formed of a compressible foam material from or like the lining 18, will tend to grip and hold the portion of the exterior perimeter surface of the caddy 14 around which the recess 16 contacts. This is because if the recess 16 perimeter is equal to or preferably slightly smaller than the perimeter of the caddy 14 and of a complimentary shape, the expanding bias of the foam material forming the lining 18, will cause a biased contact of the sidewall of the recess 16 against the surface of the caddy 14. Thus, the slanted recess or divots 20, are helpful for users to get a better grip on the caddy 14 exterior for removal from the biased engagement with the sidewalls of the recess 16.

Also shown in FIG. 1, is an optional but preferred viewing screen 22 formed of a magnifying lens. The screen 22 is pivotally engaged with the cover 24 which is pivotally engaged to the base 26 of the case 12. Thus, the screen 22 may be folded into a screen recess 17 in the cover 24 when not in use, and pivoted to a horizontally disposed position as in FIG. 1, when used for viewing the personal items carried in the caddies 14 for repair or maintenance. Means for illumination can also be provided in the form of light-emitting components 28 such as LED lighting which can be switched on by deployment of the screen 22 from the stored position within the frame recess 17 formed into the material positioned within the cavity 19 defined descending into the surrounding cover 24, to a horizontal deployed position, which is sensed by a position switch or accelerometer (not shown) to connect power from onboard battery 30 (FIG. 3) to the light-emitting components 28.

FIG. 2 depicts an overhead plan view of the device 10 as in FIG. 1 where the screen 22 for magnification and illumination has been folded into the stored position within the frame recess 17 within the cover 24 of the case 12. Also depicted are each caddy 14 positioned in operative engagement within each of the plurality of recesses 16 configured for engagement thereof therein, and with the bulges 40 in compressible engagement with the corners of the caddies 14. The air gap defined by the ledge 15 surrounding an upper portion of each caddy 14 is shown.

Also depicted are a plurality of the aforementioned bulges 40 formed into the protecting lining 18 at the corners of the recesses 16 formed into the lining 18. These bulges 40 are formed to be positioned at a plurality of corners of each of the recesses 16 and may be parallel with the walls of the recess 16 or project slightly into each recess 16. The bulges 40 are particularly preferred because they are compressed by insertion of the a portion of a caddy 14 into the recess 16 and in experimentation they have been found to more securely hold the caddy 14 in the recess 16 through a four-way bias at the corners of each caddy 14 and are preferred as the hold the caddy 14 better-engaged should the case 12 drop with the lid 24 open or should it be tilted with the lid 24 open.

It should be noted, that the recesses 16 may be formed without the ledge 15 and contact substantially all of the exterior perimeter of a caddy 14. While that will eliminate the preferred air gap defined by the width of the ledge 15, it will provide a stronger grip of the wall of the recess 16 against more area of the exterior of the caddy 14. If that is the case, then the bulges 40 could be left out. However, if left in, the bulges would provide and even sturdier grip. For impact protection of delicate equipment such as computers, the mode of the device with the recess 16 having a ledge 15 which defines an air gap or air pocket around the non-contacted portion of the caddy 14 is preferred.

Shown in FIG. 3, is the case 12 of FIG. 1, wherein the magnification screen 22 has been removed and a smartphone or pad or secondary recess 21 has been formed into a second portion of lining 18 held by the lid 24. The secondary recess 21 can be sized and employed to hold other items such as a shaver or some other personal item the user wishes to carry.

Also shown in FIG. 3, in dotted line, are the battery 30 which is held behind or within the lining 18 and which can be employed to power the lighting components 28 and other onboard items requiring power through conventional wiring thereto. Also shown is a charger 33 and a power connector 35 which may either be an AC plug connection or a USB connector, or another connector to communicate electrical power to the battery 30 either directly or through the chargers 33.

Additionally shown are an induction charging pad 42 which can be situated in a portion of one or all of the recesses 16 to provide onboard charging of batteries of the personal items being transported in one caddy 14 or the onboard battery 30 itself when needed with appropriate circuits which are well known. As depicted, the charging pad 42 would be operatively wired to the battery 30 and any required components for operation to project the appropriate electric field for induction charging, and can either communicate power to a mating pad 42 within a caddy 14 and wired to the personal component, or to the personal component itself within the caddy 14 itself if adapted for induction charge.

Additionally shown in FIG. 3 are proximity sensors 44 which may be positioned to detect the occupancy of each recess 16 by a respective caddy 14. Such may be operatively wired to switching to activate an alarm 46 should the lid 24 be closed upon the base, and a caddy 14 not properly inserted into a recess 16 it previously occupied as a reminder to the user they do not have all their personal possessions. This inclusion of the proximity sensors 44 is particularly preferred as it has been shown to be especially helpful to users who might be traveling and who may remove one or more caddies 14 to work and forget to replace one when called to leave in a hurry.

Finally, shown in FIG. 4-6 are depictions of caddies 14 which have hinged side portions, and are shown in open positions. Each caddy 14 can include a lining 18 much like that of the case 12 which has caddy recesses formed therein for placement of objects therein such as glasses, computers, and other user owned object, which may be easily damaged, into a secure position in the lining 18. The lining 18 can be cubed and user-configurable or formed to fit a particular device by the seller or manufacturer of the personal item such as for hearing aids in FIG. 5, or for tools and batteries, and parts as in FIG. 6. An infinite number of configurations exist for the plurality of caddies 14 all of which will have exterior dimensions when closed to operatively engage within a recess 16 as noted above.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the personal item transport and storage invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A carrying case comprising: a case having a base in a pivoted engagement with a cover; a compressible lining positioned within a cavity of said base; a plurality of recesses formed into said lining; each said recess defined by a recess perimeter; said recess perimeter being complimentary in shape to an exterior circumference of an exterior surface of a caddy inserted therein; said recess perimeter being equal to or smaller than said exterior circumference of said caddy; and each said caddy having a caddy lining therein with a cavity formed in said caddy lining adapted to surround an object to be carried in said caddy, whereby each of said plurality of recesses can engage with a respective caddy inserted therein, and hold a respective object in each said caddy.
 2. The carrying case of claim 1 additionally comprising: each said recess having a first portion having a first portion perimeter; said first portion of said recess engaging said exterior circumference of said caddy, around a first portion of an exterior of said caddy; a ledge having a first end communicating with an edge of said first portion of said recess, and having a second side communicating with a second portion of said recess; said second portion of said recess having a perimeter larger than said first portion of said recess; and said ledge defining a width of an air gap between a wall defining said second portion of said recess, and said exterior surface of said caddy.
 3. The carrying case of claim 1 additionally comprising: curved portions positioned in said plurality of recesses in positions to compressively engage corners on said exterior surface of a said caddy.
 4. The carrying case of claim 2 additionally comprising: curved portions positioned in said second portions of each said recess, said curved portions in positions to compressively engage corners on said exterior surface of a said caddy inserted into a said first portion of a said recess.
 5. The carrying case of claim 1 additionally comprising: proximity sensors positioned in said recesses and configured to sense a said caddy therein; each said proximity sensor activating an alarm should said cover be pivoted closed upon said base of said case, without a said caddy engaged in a said recess previously occupied by a said caddy.
 6. The carrying case of claim 2 additionally comprising: proximity sensors positioned in said recesses and configured to sense a said caddy therein; each said proximity sensor activating an alarm should said cover be pivoted closed upon said base of said case, without a said caddy engaged in a said recess previously occupied by a said caddy.
 7. The carrying case of claim 3 additionally comprising: proximity sensors positioned in said recesses and configured to sense a said caddy therein; each said proximity sensor activating an alarm should said cover be pivoted closed upon said base of said case, without a said caddy engaged in a said recess previously occupied by a said caddy.
 8. The carrying case of claim 4 additionally comprising: proximity sensors positioned in said recesses and configured to sense a said caddy therein; each said proximity sensor activating an alarm should said cover be pivoted closed upon said base of said case, without a said caddy engaged in a said recess previously occupied by a said caddy.
 9. The carrying case of claim 1 additionally comprising: a magnifying lens pivotally engaged within a lens recess formed into said cover; said lens having a stowed position parallel to said cover and stowed in said lens recess; and said lens having a deployed position extending from said recess above said base.
 10. The carrying case of claim 2 additionally comprising: a magnifying lens pivotally engaged within a lens recess formed into said cover; said lens having a stowed position parallel to said cover and stowed in said lens recess; and said lens having a deployed position extending from said recess above said base.
 11. The carrying case of claim 3 additionally comprising: a magnifying lens pivotally engaged within a lens recess formed into said cover; said lens having a stowed position parallel to said cover and stowed in said lens recess; and said lens having a deployed position extending from said recess above said base.
 12. The carrying case of claim 5 additionally comprising: a magnifying lens pivotally engaged within a lens recess formed into said cover; said lens having a stowed position parallel to said cover and stowed in said lens recess; and said lens having a deployed position extending from said recess above said base.
 13. The carrying case of claim 1 additionally comprising: an induction pad located in at least one said recess; and said induction pad operatively engaged to electric power to generate a charging field for a said object in a said caddy engaged whin said recess.
 14. The carrying case of claim 3 additionally comprising: an induction pad located in at least one said recess; and said induction pad operatively engaged to electric power to generate a charging field for a said object in a said caddy engaged whin said recess.
 15. The carrying case of claim 4 additionally comprising: an induction pad located in at least one said recess; and said induction pad operatively engaged to electric power to generate a charging field for a said object in a said caddy engaged whin said recess.
 16. The carrying case of claim 12 additionally comprising: an induction pad located in at least one said recess; and said induction pad operatively engaged to electric power to generate a charging field for a said object in a said caddy engaged whin said recess.
 17. The carrying case of claim 1 additionally comprising: a slanted recess formed into said compressible lining having a declining angle from a first end to a second end; and said second end intersecting a sidewall of said recess at a level below that elevation of said first end and defining a gap in the perimeter exposing a portion of said exterior surface of said caddy.
 18. The carrying case of claim 3 additionally comprising: a slanted recess formed into said compressible lining having a declining angle from a first end to a second end; and said second end intersecting a sidewall of said recess at a level below that elevation of said first end and defining a gap in the perimeter exposing a portion of said exterior surface of said caddy. 